Billy the Kid

William Bonney, already known as Billy the Kid, helps his friend Pedro Gonzales escape from a jail in Lincoln, New Mexico. The act pits him against the local authorities and marks an early public display of his willingness to bend the law for friends. The escape sets off the chain of events that drags him into the region's rising violence.

Hickey's men orchestrate a stampede among local farmers' cattle to coerce them into joining Hickey's business. The chaotic spectacle results in the death of a farmer and intensifies tensions in the area. Billy experiences guilt over his role and begins to question the path of violence.

During the aftermath, Jim Sherwood reconnects with Billy and reveals he works for Eric Keating, a man who advocates non-violence. Jim helps arrange for Billy and Pedro to join Keating's ranch instead of Hickey's operation. Billy starts considering a future that avoids reckless bloodshed.

At the Keating ranch, Billy is welcomed into a calmer life and is instantly drawn to Edith, Keating's sister. He finds himself fitting in, enjoying hospitality and a sense of belonging away from gunslinger myths. The ranch atmosphere offers a stark contrast to his notorious reputation.

Pedro Gonzales is shot in the back and killed by one of Hickey's men, shocking Billy to his core. Keating counsels Billy not to seek revenge and instead waits while he tries to negotiate with the governor. The murder amplifies the dilemma between vengeance and peacemaking.

Keating leaves to speak with the governor about the violence and vanishes, leaving Billy to face the dangerous situation alone. The absence unsettles the fragile peace at the ranch and pushes Billy toward pursuing Hickey. Billy must decide whether to wait or act.

At Edith's birthday party, a foreboding sign appears when Keating's horse returns without its rider. The group senses danger and Billy steels himself for the worst. The celebration gives way to a tense atmosphere as the search for Keating and answers begins.

Driven by Pedro's death and a desire to restore justice, Billy sets out with Ward and Pedro's memory in mind to confront Hickey's gang. He abandons any thought of a quiet life and heads into the conflict directly. The pursuit marks a turning point toward open vengeance.

Hickey sends a messenger to mislead Keating's men, claiming Keating died while fleeing from the sheriff. The lie aims to buy time for reinforcements and to degrade trust among the pursuers. Billy's group remains unswayed, determined to seek justice for Pedro.

Jim appears to switch loyalties, advising the sheriff to lock up Billy and Tim Ward for protection. Billy remains wary of Jim's motives as law enforcement closes the net. The trust between allies fractures, fueling tension and suspicion.

Ward disarms the sheriff, but Billy misreads his intent and shoots the officer, believing he was about to eliminate them. This act expands Billy's vigilante path and deepens the cycle of violence surrounding Hickey's gang. The incident intensifies the pursuit with a more personal vendetta.

Billy and Ward methodically track and shoot Hickey's gunmen one by one as they close in on the mastermind. The killings push the frontier justice narrative to its breaking point and test their loyalties to one another. The pursuit grows increasingly perilous and personal.

Jim and Hickey arrive on the scene as Billy confronts them directly. Jim tries to intervene and stop Billy from shooting Hickey, but Billy fires, shooting Hickey in the back. The act cements Jim and Hickey as adversaries and plunges Billy deeper into tragedy.

Billy challenges Jim to a final duel, but he has secretly shifted his draw hand to the right. Jim is faster and shoots Billy, killing him. Only afterward does Jim realize Billy let him win, marking a bitter and ironic end to their long rivalry.